Rating the Stormers' demise

Jaco Taute 3.5/10: His nowhere-pass in the first minute that went into touch was just the beginning of what turned out to be a Newlands horror show. Some poor touch-finders and decision-making. And I’m not even going to go into detail with that kick that was charged down and led to a Chiefs try. At least he ran the ball in his own half instead of kicking it in the first quarter. Great offload to Zas in the build-up to the first try. That was about it.

Kobus van Wyk 5/10: Made a few solid tackles. His kick chase that won the Stormers possession inside Chiefs 22 was top class. Had a couple of good crowd-uplifting runs down the touchline, but he should have held onto the ball rather than just chucking it away. We’ve seen better from him.

Huw Jones 5/10: One or two nice tackles (including a massive hit on Cruden) and runs. There was a brief example of those tippy-toes again when he danced around the Chiefs in his own 22. But his handling wasn’t always great and he didn’t make much of an impact.

Damian de Allende 5/10: Had a few nice runs (but often didn’t have anybody running off his shoulder). Didn’t give his outside backs any real opportunities. Was made to look really clumsy when the Chiefs ran around and past him for their first try after halftime (although to be fair, it was from a tighthead and so the defence wasn’t organised). Could have done much better

Leolin Zas 6/10: Some threatening runs. He got involved and looked good with the few chances he got.

Robert du Preez 3/10: Out of depth and he couldn’t get the backline going, or anything else for that matter. There was a bumbling sequence just before he was taken off: first he thoughtlessly took contact, then threw a comical pass to Taute a minute or so later before chipping the ball straight down Damian McKenzie’s throat. And McKenzie sent the Stormers back with a raking touchfinder ...

Nic Groom 6/10: Nice touchfinder early on. He was a bit slow getting the ball out sometimes.

Schalk Burger 8/10: His work rate was immense. He made his tackles, did his part at the breakdowns and there were a couple of thrilling runs. There was also that amazing dummy that brought the Stormers within inches of the Chiefs try line. It’s a real pity that a legend had to go out like that.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe 8/10: Now here’s a man who didn’t disappoint. He had a grand outing. His running lines were impressive and his turnover before halftime took great pressure off the hosts. He worked hard at the breakdowns and that inside step is working a treat at the moment ...

Pieter-Steph du Toit 6/10: Was penalised for being off his feet at the ruck early on. One brilliant offload. His game wasn’t as breathtaking as his usual showings, but he wasn’t bad (he set the bar pretty high this season).

Eben Etzebeth 7/10: Superbly stole a lineout ball that set up the first try like only he can. He took the ball up well to get over the gain line. Kept the Chiefs honest.

Vincent Koch 8/10: Put his power on display yet again when he burst through for the first try of the match after Etzebeth stole the ball at a Chiefs lineout in their red zone. And then he did it again just before the break.Bongi Mbonambi 6/10: His lineout throws were decent and he got stuck in there. The frustration seemed to get the better of him in the second quarter (when he delivered that tip tackle).

Alistair Vermaak 5/10: Carried the ball a bit, but had a bit of an uncomfortable afternoon in the scrums.

Scarra Ntubeni 5/10: His lineout throws weren’t bad and he got involved in the game, but the way he lost the ball in the tackle just short of the Chiefs try line was sad. But please Scarra, I know you were thinking out of the box, but leave the kickoffs to the backs!

Oli Kebble 6/10: The new front row seemed to have done the trick as the Stormers won a scrum penalty soon after the new trio came on. Bit lucky to not be penalised for going off his feet, but nice outing.

Frans Malherbe 6/10: He put in some strong runs and gained a few metres. Solid scrumming.

Rynhardt Elstadt 5.5/10: Brought his usual aggression on Saturday, but he just seemed to try too hard at times. Gained a few metres and was strong with ball in hand.

Nizaam Carr 6/10: Conceded a ruck penalty in the last few minutes but he was quite involved. Nice to see him glide over the line for his try.

Brandon Thomson 5/10: His fumbled pass to Taute shortly after he came on lacked direction and distance, much like the Stormers on the day. At least he looked more energised charging down McKenzie’s last conversion than all his teammates did during the last periods of the match.